Quartz Trail is a popular hiking and biking trail for McDowell Mountain Ranch residents, and can also serve as an access trail into the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It is often linked with Taliesin Trail to make a short loop. Quartz is the more difficult of the two trails, both in rockiness and grade. Parts of Quartz follow a large natural wash, so use caution when riding in flash flood season. Quartz links to Paradise Trail to branch out into the Gateway trail area, and also links to Lost Dog Trail, for access into the Lost Dog trail area.

Access Info

To begin at the published start point, park at the Westworld trailhead and make your way along the Westworld trail (really a gravel road) underneath Thompson Peak Blvd and look for trail signs pointing left across the golf course. An alternate start point and parking area is at the park/pool at 105th St and Queenswreath Lane.